Check out D-line combos tonight

A number of fine-tuning issues with the Eagles likely won't even be resolved before the regular season begins, much less by the end of tonight's third preseason game vs. the Kansas City Chiefs in refurbished Arrowhead Stadium.

Chief among them is the defensive line rotation.

There will be eight for the four spots every game. And all four spots will be occupied by ends on most obvious passing downs. That much is certain.

The question is: who are the four reserves?

Only ends Juqua Parker, who just lost his starting job to Brandon Graham this past week, and Darryl Tapp, a veteran they've apparently been coveting for years, are locks. Rookie Daniel Te'o-Nesheim and third-year defensive tackle Trevor Laws have a good chance to become the other two.

However, Laws was not able to get on the field ahead of Antonio Dixon last season, and Te'o-Nesheim has not made that many plays so far this summer.

We can say that the Eagles have liked what they've seen from Laws. Finally, he's appeared to make that leap forward the Eagles have been looking for since drafting him two spots ahead of DeSean Jackson in 2008.

Laws has worked his way into the first-team nickel package, anyway.

"He's given us the push inside that we're looking for," defensive coordinator Sean McDermott said. "When you move guys inside, you're looking for players that can push the pocket, yet get on an edge, get vertical, and get to the quarterback at the same time. So we see those skills from Trevor and Daniel at the same time."

So if there's something you're looking to key in on tonight, the suggestion here is to check out the defensive line packages and don't even watch the ball after the snap. If anything spectacular happens, you'll be able to see it on the replay.

Getting the right combinations up front will go a long way toward getting the defense back to the force it was in the earlier part of the last decade.

So, Shawn Andrews is a Giant now. Oh boy!!!

The Eagles had gone strangely silent. Text and email requests for interviews with president Joe Banner and general manager Howie Roseman had gone unanswered for the longest time, following the shot heard 'round the NFC East today when news broke of Shawn Andrews signing with the New York Giants.

Andrews, the enigmatic former Eagles' offensive lineman, hasn't played for nearly two years due to a recurring back injury that landed him on the operating table two years in a row. Before that, it was depression. Before that, it was some kind of mysterious neck condition that forced him out of a playoff loss at New Orleans.

Arguably the Eagles' best offensive lineman when healthy, Andrews simply was never around to share in any of the glory the Eagles have enjoyed since joining the team as a first-round pick in 2004. Andrews broke his leg in his very first game and spent the entire rest of the team's Super Bowl run that year on injured reserve.

He came back with a solid year in 2005 and a superior one in 2006, before being forced out of the playoff loss in New Orleans. He was great again in 2007, but the Eagles again failed to make the playoffs.

And that was pretty much the last we've seen of Andrews on the field.

Finally, general manager Howie Roseman issued this generic statement: "On behalf of the Philadelphia Eagles, we wish Shawn nothing but the best in his return to the NFL. We're happy that he's back in a position to play football again."

This is in contrast to a pre-arranged interview Banner did with CSN Philly today in which he said the Andrews signing caught him "off-guard."

Either way, with Andrews and Donovan McNabb in the same division and Brian Westbrook now on the schedule as an opponent with the San Francisco 49ers, this season sure is shaping up to make some interesting theater.

Talking trash and injuries

The players may not be counting numbers here at Eagles training camp, but they sure are counting the days toward their Wednesday morning departure from Lehigh University and a more comfortable work and play environment at their NovaCare Complex headquarters.

That could explain all the smack being talked on the sideline today -- maybe more than ever. Just a lot of anxious energy.

When the receivers were going against the defensive backs in one-on-one drills, cornerback Asante Samuel didn't immediately jump in when it was his turn. His reason?

Parrish cut from Eagles, but not giving up

After struggling on kickoffs and then striking some disappointing punts in Friday night's preseason opener against Jacksonville, East Stroudsburg native Ken Parrish was cut by the Eagles before the team returned to training camp for practice on Sunday at Lehigh University.

According to special teams coordinator Bobby April, the decision had more to do with the sensational camp incumbent punter Sav Rocca is having than any shortcomings in Parrish's game, which had been expanded only this year to include placekicking.

April said he's trying to find the East Stroudsburg South and East Stroudsburg University graduate a job with another team.

"It's a tough day because he's done such a good job and he's such a quality guy. I think Sav has done a good job. ... I e-mailed the [New Orleans] Saints. I saw where their punter got hurt. And I told them, `here's a guy who can really punt and kick off and hold.' "

The Saints responded that the injury was minor and would not look to make a roster move at this time.

"I hope he does get a job," April said. "I was really pulling for him."

Parrish is not sure of his next move but responded to a text message on Sunday saying he will know more later this week about where he may be headed next, a sign that he is not ready to give up on becoming an NFL punter.

Eagles kicker David Akers also doesn't think it's time for Parrish, who's been unable to catch on for three straight preseasons now, to quit yet. Akers pointed out how he bounced around for a good bit before finding a home with the Eagles. Ironically, he is the longest-tenured player on this team now by far.

"I think that he's got a lot of potential and there's a team out there, kind of like [what happened] with me," Akers said. "There's going to be some ups and downs but you have a guy with good potential. ... I think with Ken, the more game repetitions he gets, he's going to open some eyes. He just needs an opportunity."

Jackson, who caught two passes for 47 yards and went 17 yards with a spectacular run on an end-around, was understandably in a good mood.

"It was just a good feeling to get out there and go against another team," he said. "I think [the first-team offense] did real good. The intensity was there, [quarterback Kevin] Kolb was comfortable back there. He came into the huddle every time and let us know what we need to do, and we left the huddle and went out there and executed.

"So that's all that matters. We were out there having fun and we were doing what we love to do."

Jackson continued about Kolb.

"The biggest thing with Kevin is that he's very calm. He's intelligent at the same time. It's no panic, it's no rush, and he's back there making great decisions. He's not doing foolish mistakes, not throwing the ball to the wrong places and things like that. He makes the right reads and he does all the right things.

"As long as you have a quarterback out there trying to do do the right things, you'll be all right."

On a personal note, I somehow think this will be interpreted by some as (another) veiled shot at Donovan McNabb. I'm not sure it was, but it sure was interesting.

The best and worst of Michael Vick

Eagles backup quarterback Michael Vick opened the second quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars tonight with a 46-yard strike to Riley Cooper. His last play of the quarter came with under a minute to go, when he tossed an interception that was returned 43 yards by Michael Coe, setting up a go-ahead touchdown by the Jags.

In between, he lost a fumble inside the 10-yard line; led them on a 10-play, 53-yard drive for a field goal; and ran for a 10-yard touchdown on the next series.

By halftime, he had completed 7-of-12 passes for 106 yards and gained 45 more yards on four runs, including the touchdown.

The very best and the very worst of Michael Vick in 15 minutes.

What this portends for the Eagles this season remains anyone's guess.

About the only thing we can say for sure is that Vick, who played into the third quarter, has his legs back and can make something out of nothing.

Needless to say, he can make something of nothing for opposing defenses as well. That last throw of the half was unnecessary, even though he had been flushed out of the pocket.

So the chants for him to be the starter will have to wait a few weeks -- at least until the Eagles return to Lincoln Financial Field in three weeks for their preseason finale against the New York Jets.

Final thoughts on Eagles' jersey thoughts

Just one man's opinion, but upon further review of the events of Wednesday morning, the Eagles were not unreasonable in their reaction to the rather dubious decision by Jim Devlin to wear a Donovan McNabb Washington Redskins jersey on the field as a VIP guest at training camp.

Devlin even admitted to trying to "stir the pot" by wearing the jersey and was largely chastised by nearly everyone with an opinion on the matter.

By the end of the day, however, he had also realized the error in judgment he made and clearly was growing more uncomfortable by the second with his 15 minutes of fame, which really was more like 15 hours.

As it turns out, the security staff member who asked Devlin to remove his jersey or face expulsion from the sideline was exaggerating when he said Eagles coach Andy Reid had noticed the media cluster starting to form around Devlin and issued the order himself.

The Eagles and the security guard later said Reid never noticed a thing and obviously didn't order the hit, and there's no reason to believe they were being untruthful.

But even if Reid had noticed it and ordered the action, it doesn't matter.

Devlin was a VIP guest with a field pass issued by the team. Petty as it might have been for the Eagles to make him remove it, it was a bigger indiscretion for Devlin to wear the thing in the first place. After all, it was a symbolic slap to the organization's face, delivered with the help of the team being gracious enough to allow him on the sideline, as it does with hundreds of other fans every day at camp.

While Devlin was wrong to wear the jersey, his instincts about stirring the pot were spot on.

Judging by the multitude of comments, positive and negative, on this site alone, it has become a red-hot issue that won't be forgotten anytime soon.

McNabb Redskins jersey not allowed on Eagles sideline

UPDATE: An Eagles fan on the sideline with a VIP pass Wednesday morning was made by training camp security personnel to remove the Washington Redskins jersey he was wearing or leave the field.

Jim Devlin of King of Prussia, Pa., immediately complied and remained for the rest of the morning practice at Lehigh University, where he says his life nevertheless was turned upside down by the end of the day.

Devlin was wearing a replica Donovan McNabb jersey, in honor of the longtime Eagles quarterback who was traded to Washington in the offseason, when he said a security staff member informed him head coach Andy Reid had noticed TV cameras starting to approach Devlin to get footage and that he had to take off his shirt because of it.

The whole incident lasted no longer than two minutes as Devlin quickly removed his shirt. But one-by-one, reporters who witnessed it or read about it almost instantaneously on social media sites such as Twitter, began to approach for interviews.

"Now it's all over the place," a clearly shaken Devlin said as he watched the afternoon practice from a further distance. "My phone is dead from text after text after text, facebook updates, phone calls, this, that and the other. I took off for lunch and came back, and I was like, I'll go [buy] a [current Eagles quarterback Kevin Kolb] practice jersey and kind of blend in.

"But then the media types starting asking again and ESPN News was calling, national stuff, all for wearing a shirt."

Devlin admitted that he's an Eagles fan who admires McNabb and "likes to bust chops." Wearing McNabb's jersey was just his way of trying to elicit a reaction from some fans and get a good debate going.

An Eagles spokesman, who asked not to be identified, clarified earlier reports by saying the team's "preference" is for fans not to wear opponents' jerseys on the sideline. "Policy," he said, "is a strong word."

He added that Devlin likely would not have been approached with that demand had TV news camera personnel not noticed Devlin first and began to surround him for live interviews, creating a scene that captured the attention of security.

"I guess they wanted to nip that in the bud," Devlin said. "The TV guy came up and he said, `just pretend like I'm not here.' And I'm like, `OK, I'm just here to watch practice.' "

The Eagles say the directive could not have come from Reid because the coach never noticed any of it. Later, the security staff member who confronted Devlin confirmed that it was his decision, not Reid's.

"’I'm a type of guy that likes to stir the pot a little bit," Devlin admitted to Philadelphia Sports Daily. "I’m an Eagles fan, but I really like Donovan McNabb. For somebody that
is a borderline Hall of Fame guy, people kind of treated him unfairly.
There’s always that chance you’ll miss him when he’s gone, especially
when it’s October and he throws four touchdowns up on you."

Herremans makes wrong kind of news again

For the second straight year here at training camp, Eagles offensive
lineman Todd Herremans has been involved in an off-field incident that
hasn't exactly generated the kind of positive publicity his team could
use in the wake of Michael Vick's birthday party last june.

Herremans, on his Twitter account Tuesday morning, expressed
disappointment that the HBO show "True Blood" had recently hit viewers
with a gay theme.

"Not a fan of how they get u hooked with the 1st 2 seasons," he wrote, "then bring on a barrage of homosexuality."

When Philadelphia Inquirer reporter John Gonzalez responded to that
tweet and asked him if he wanted to apologize or take it back, Herremans
only seemed to complicate things further with his reply.

"I have no issues with homosexuality," he wrote. "To his/her own ... It's just not for me."

Not long after Eagles coach Andy Reid no doubt read him the riot act, Herremans issued a public apology, tweeting: "After speaking with Eagles management, I realize that my tweet earlier
was insensitive and tasteless, and for this, I deeply
apologize. It was not my intention to offend or hurt
anyone."

Herremans, who has been on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list since camp began, last year was driving his van near training camp when he was pulled over by police, who subsequently arrested teammate and passenger Juqua Parker for marijuana possession. The case was dismissed earlier this year.

Heat brings some Eagles down

By the time practice ended this morning at training camp, the Eagles were down to just two healthy running backs -- Eldra Buckley and Martell Mallett.

But not to worry. Heat, not an injury, was the reason starter LeSean McCoy left practice early, according to coach Andy Reid. And key backup Mike Bell is getting better with his hamstring. Ditto for J.J. Arrington's foot strain.

Here's Reid's report, verbatim:

"[K] David Akers has a heel contusion and that's why he was out. [DE Juqua Parker] was out because of the 30-plus day. [WR] Hank Baskett, his knee was bothering him last night a little bit and he woke up and was a little stiff today. He should be fine. We'll call it a MCL sprain. [RB] Mike Bell is doing better with the hamstring strain. We kept him in today and just treated him. [G/T] Todd Herremans [foot] is doing better. [C] Jamaal Jackson [knee] is doing better and [DE] Victor [Abiamiri, knee] is doing better. [C/G] Nick Cole, again, there’s swelling on his knee, so we're trying to get the swelling down before we put him back out. [DT] Antonio Dixon with the concussion is getting better. It shouldn’t be too much longer with him. [CB] Macho [Harris] is making progress. He ran a little bit yesterday, but he's still not there.

"We took some guys that came out today and went back in, [RB] J.J. Arrington -- actually, J.J. didn’t come out, but was scheduled to come out [with a foot strain]. [TE] Cornelious Ingram’s knee was just sore, swollen, and then [DE] Ricky Sapp, again, he was out here and ended up going back in because of a sore knee. Then, we had three heat guys, [RB LeSean] McCoy, [WR DeSean] Jackson and [RB] Eldra Buckley. They all went through practice with the exception of McCoy, the other two went through practice and we took them in just to get out of the heat."

Clearly, the players can't wait to get away from Lehigh and get back to sleeping in their own beds and reporting to the NovaCare Complex everyday instead. But they're going to have to suck it up until August 18.